Today is my last day here in the Cape, kind of sad, but I’m looking forward to going home.  I have a busy day planned as there are quite a few things I need to do before I head to the airport.

Once I leave the BnB, I need to drop off my boxes at PostNet to be sent back to Pmb.  These are goodies that I can’t take on plane (Tripod, some food, some books, binocs and a few other items.)  These items can push my luggage weight to over 25kg.  So it is cheaper to send via PostNet than to pay the excess weight restrictions

Once I am finished at PostNet, my plans for the rest of the day  is to drive through the West Coast National Park, onto Yzerfontein to find a sea bound tractor and to see if I can get a sighting of the Lighthouse at Dassen Island.  Then down go to Bloubergstrand to photograph the iconic Table Mountain and then onto airport for my homeward flight.

Packed my car, said my goodbyes and headed out.  Boxes packed, Suit case packed, Camera allocated to certain pockets of my jacket and I am off for my final day. 

Drove through the Nationals Park and of cause need to photograph some more flowers.  Another few more, can’t hurt.  Arrived in Yzerfontein.  I looked for the tractor but couldn’t see it.  Googled Tractor stuck in sand and drove to that spot.  Google is the best.  Story goes that a vehicle was launching a boat and got bogged down in the sand.  They called for a tractor to assist, Vehicle got out, but sadly the tractor lost its life and here it is until it breaks up.  During this short time I got caught by a rogue wave and landed getting wet up to my knees up.  But that goes with the fun of photographing things at the sea.

Onto Bloubergstrand.  Found a nice spot to take a photo. The smog that is in front of Table Mountain is really horrible.  I took the photos, but it is really not a nice thing to see.  Found a spot to eat some lunch and took a stroll on the beach.  Not much more to do as I have accomplished all on my To Do List.  2 lighthouses ticked off, Tractor found, Dassen Island seen, Bloubergstrand visited and Table Mountain photographed.  Time to head off to the airport.  Need to hand in my car so I need to make sure that I give myself enough time so that I don’t get into trouble of running out of time.  I am terrible with my time as I try to squeeze as much as I can into my day, but today I can’t stretch my limits

Handed in my car, and headed into airport.  Found that I could check in my luggage, which is really great.  I headed upstairs to the Wimpy for some chips and cup of coffee, and I settled down to work on photos.

Sitting chilled oblivious of time, when I looked up to see that the time is 16:00 and my flight is at 16:45.  Heading to the boarding gates, to find hundreds of people.  Flew through check point, packing laptop and camera, asking for directions and ran like a bull into the china shop.  My worst nightmare happened to come true to find out that the plane boarding gate was at the furthest gate of the airport.  Major freak and stressful moment, but I managed to get there in time.  This was not how I wanted to end my day, but anyhow. All worked out ok.  I got onto plane, turn on the fan to get air to cool down and settled into the flight.  Got some great sunset images on my cell phone.  I know that cell phone cameras are not the greatest, but let’s see what comes out.

My friend Gordon was there to pick me up only to be told, that I will not be going home tonight as I will be staying over.  They do not want me to drive home.  I’m happy about this as I am exhausted and I just want to sleep.  Dirty clothes for work tomorrow but who cares.

Sleep well everyone.  It has been a great trip.  All objectives ticked off.  More lighthouses ticked off with 4 to go. 

See you all on the next trip.

Had a great sleep in a very comfy bed.  Actually I don’t want to wake up today, but I know that there are  flowers waiting for their photos to be taken.  So I must get my life moving.

Had breakfast. Grabbed cameras, some lunch and few other things and headed out to Postberg, West Coast Nature Reserve.

Having been there a few times already, I knew what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go

The displays were amazing.  What really caught my eye was how each field changes.  The first open field was completely white with a few spots here and there of another colour, then there is a field all orange and a few spots some something different,

Then there was a yellow field, but so many different shades of yellow and bits of other colours.  Then there was a field of blue flowers.  This one blew (ha ha) my mind.  Its was incredible. 

I was a true privilege just to be in that space with no time limit, no concerns, no worries.

I finally landed up just photographing the little flowers.  How many fields and 2 track road can you photograph,  can photograph.  But the amount of flowers is amazing.  Some as small as my baby fingernail.  (5mm) and some the size of my hand. 

The weather was great, very little wind, antelope and tortoises and lots of birds all enjoying the splendour of the wild flowers. 

I just wish that tourists would adhere to the rules and regulations of the reserve.  They don’t seem to understand the rule of stay out of the flowers.  I got to a point when I drove past an international tourist.  His wife was in the middle of the patch of flowers, and his kids were running around that crazy bodies.  I drove passed him and said, you know you are not allowed in the flowers.  All he said was oh dear and carried on.  I was so miffed I wanted to yell…. 

I calmed my self down and found a little spot just to sit and watch flowers and birds.  What a great spot…

Finally I saw that the flowers were starting to shut the tired little faces so I headed back to the BnB.  Had a shower and head to Pearly’s for dinner.  This was my last night here, so I decided to treat myself once more.

They gave me a quiet seat in a corner so that I could sit and edit photos because I really needed to start sorting out what I want to post out.  Just so many photos to work through.  Roughly 500 ish photos a day multiplied by 5 days….  Hectic numbers and I only want a few from each day.  But anyhow, decided on quite a few, and will edit my heart out went I get home.

Enjoyed a great dinner.  I will definitely be back.  Great food, great atmosphere, great scenery.  Just a great place.

Said my goodbyes and headed back to BnB.  Tomorrow I leave for home.  Feeling a little sad, but I has been awesome and amazing.  Sad to be on my own, but I understand.  Don’t know what is going to happen next year.  Will just have to wait and see.

Slow start to the day.  Rush to grab photo of sunrise and screamed outside without jersey on because it felt rather warm, but this was inside the accommodation.  Reality kicked in and I screamed back to grab jersey.  First time since I am here in the Cape that I don’t need my jacket.  Great stuff.  Nice weather just in time to head home.  Typical. 

Photographed an awesome sunrise.  First time since I have been here.  High seas again and high swells and mighty crashes onto the rocks.  Not looking forward to seeing all of these photos.  But will see.

Headed back into the accommodation and packed up my stuff and went again for another walk about.  This place is just so amazing.  Every time I go out, I see something new.  Had to head back so that I can download images and charge camera battery. 

Another couple arrived from Cape Town to drop in for a chat and to chat on the radio.  It is amazing how far people come just for a radio chat.  Great to mean them and chat again about my adventure.  Camera charged enough and I head out again for some more photos as my time here is very limited and I’m not sure if or when I will be able to come back here.

During this walk I came across something very interesting.  Not sure if this is man made or natural.  But it seems like it  has been excavated to do …….  Who knows what.  But what is interesting is the millions of shell and sand that has been deposited here.  The erosion is very prominent and it has created some very interesting structures.  One needs to be careful when you walk around on the top.  You not sure how strong or stable the areas is.  I will contact Kevin from the East London Museum and see what he says.

I was busy watch to Rock Kestrel flying around.  She landed and as she settled down the male mated with her.  Poor girl never had a chance.

I decided that I had better head back to the lighthouse as I was slightly nibblish and I need to help with packing up.  By the time I got back, most of the packing had already be done.  This stuff weighs a ton.  Walked up the tower to help drop the aerial (I think the is the 4 time – 108 stairs up and 108 stairs down).  Going to be fit after this.

While I was up there, I tried to talk to Johan about what I had found and I am still trying to figure out if it is natural or man made.

While we were cooking dinner on Friday night, I managed to buy the counter top.  The melamine kind of exploded due to the heat from the Gas cooker.  We are all quite embarrassed about the damage.  Chatted to Johan, and he was going to get back to Pieter regarding the damage.

We all packed our cars with the final bits and pieces, said our very sad goodbyes climbed in our cars and we headed out.  Quite strange that we drove in convoy and I turned off to Langebaan and they all headed straight. 

Had a nice slow drive back to BnB.  I am feeling really accomplished in this phase of the lighthouse.  2 massive lighthouses ticked off the list.  2 that I probably would never have gained entry into you, let alone stay over and have the freedom to do what I actually wanted with no issues of fears. 

Arrived at the BnB and climbed into the shower for a well deserved shower.  Having not been able to shower since Friday morning.  Really felt like a new person when I climbed out.  Headed off for some KFC.  It was gross.  I think I have been seriously overcharged, but we will deal with that when I get home.

Downloaded some more images.  Waded through what I have taken, and realised that this is going to be a mammoth task to choose just a few from  for the website.  Laptop died and so did I.

What a wonderful 3 days.  Couldn’t have asked for anything more than what I have received and what I have accomplished.  I am already missing the nonsense, the chatter, the laughter and general fun.

Oh well. Tomorrow is a day to chill, relax and of course take more photos.  Time to turn off the light and head off to dream land.  Sleep well world.  I know I will

Early start (5:30) as we are heading to the South Head Lighthouse for the day.

Alta, Pieter, Tjaart and myself to spend the day there.  The idea is to activate that lighthouse for the International Lighthouse and Light ship amateur radio event.  Johan was supposed to meet us at the Special Forces HQ but he overslept.  Told us to collect the permits and for us to head off to the Nature Reserve.

We arrived at the reserve, still no Johan.   We left the permit for Johan at the main gate of the Reserve and we headed off to the Special Forces Entrance within the Postberg reserve.  We drove to the reserve and we all bailed out of the vehicles, at South Head Lighthouse. Unlocked the gates and drove in.

I saw a very funny sight of nest building. If there are no trees to build nest, you find other places to hang your nests. Weavers are really ingenious little birds. We caused them much unhappiness as they built their nest right in front of the main entrance door. Silly birds.

As everyone set up the radios, I disappeared.  Lots of flowers to photograph.  But how many photos can one take and say OK, I have completed my photos, but anyhow, just a few more.  I found a cross memorial here at South Head Lighthouse.  Need to find out more about it.  I’m so angry with myself because I did not photograph the front of the cross.  Sadly I cant gain access to this space again on this trip.  Will have to make another plan.

I was happy taking photos of so many things, that I looked up to see Johan heading toward me.  I was wondering what have I done wrong, but he can to call me to say that they have run out of battery so we are going to head back to north head.  We took a scenic view of the trip back.  We found a spot where we could take a “family”: photo.  The problem is that I have mislaid my shoe for the tripod.  So I had to balance it on a car hood using a jacket and other things.  Decided to let it happen and I will fix when I get back.  Went to some view points and stopped for a while for some lunch.  This place is really beautiful.  Lots of flowers, I think I will spend my time on Monday here because the weather forecast seems to be better for Monday.

All photos done,  all spots visited that Johan thought we wanted to see and he head back to North head again.  As we arrived there were quite a few new faces around.  Some people came up from Cape Town to join in working the radio and to enjoy the evening with us. 

As the day ends, a great braai, great weather and great people.  Such an awesome day.  Sadly tomorrow is my last day with these great people.  Rather a sad thought that a month of planned is now all over.  But next year I’m sure it will happen all over again.

Enjoyed our dinner.  The guys from Cape Town said good bye and left, we all tidied up and sorted out everything and we all collapsed into bed.  Oh well, a great weekend, a great opportunity and I am feeling content knowing that I have 2 more lighthouses ticked off.  With 4 more lighthouse to photograph, I can go to sleep knowing that I can sleep felling accomplished.

Time to turn off my light and head off to dreamland.   Sleep Tight everyone

Woke up early without the aid of an alarm.  Packed up all my goodies as I was going to the Naval Base for the weekend.  The main reason for this trip – South North and North Head lighthouses.  Also going to be meeting up with Tjaart again and all the people who I have been chatting on WhatsApp for the past few months.  Going to be a great day and an amazing weekend.

Left the BnB and headed out towards Saldahna.

I took a slow ride as I was meeting Chris in Saldahna as we need to go through the check point at the entrance and get our security clearances.  Somewhere I stopped to buy a few gifts, I came across this interesting shop call The Noisy Oyster. My mom comes up with these crazy rhymes and tongue twisters. So when I saw this shop I remembered this rhyme So here it is.

“What noise annoys an oyster most?
A noisy noise annoys an oyster most.“

I also heard about the infamous bar called the Panty Bar.  Lots of history in this spot.  Will need to find out more.  Hundreds of panties hanging from the ceiling.  Met the bar man and I asked are they clean.  He said yes, they get washed every few months, but before their first wash,  “straight off the “butt”  straight on the wire”.   Landed up in the center of of Paternoster to find hundreds of flowers.  Stunning.  My first white daisies.  Beautiful with lots of other flowers scattered in between.

On my way to Saldahna I came across some farm fields with amazing yellow flowers.  This is definitely a farm product.  Need to find out more, but truly stunning sight.  Stopped in Saldahna to buy items for the weekend and then headed for a coffee shop to grab cuppa coffee and something to eat.  Landed at a coffee shop called Cup of Cake in Saldahna.  Turns out that the shop owner is a TV star.  Not sure who she is, but will find out more before my book is published

Chris arrived and we headed to the base.  I met Johan who had organised our access.  We left our cars and bundled into his car to take a drive to the lighthouse just to make sure that Chris’ car would make it on the roads.  All sorted and we headed back to the gate.  When we arrived back at the main gate, we were told that the other car had arrived and were on their way to the lighthouse.  We picked up our cars and took a slow drive through to the lighthouse.  Stopped at the block house for some photos and then arrived at the lighthouse.

Said hello to Tjaart.  Great to see him again.  Met everyone one else and then we started to sort out stuff that needed to be unpacked.  There was not much I can do as they guys were sorting out stuff where I was just in the way.  Alta was sorting out the stuff so there was much for me to do.  I was just under everyone’s feet so I grabbed camera and headed out.

Found out that  North Head lighthouse has been rebuilt.  Lying on the ground is the left overs of the previous lighthouse.  This I did not know about, so I’m going to have to find out more about what the old lighthouse looked like.  But what I can see is that it was square.

Spent the last moment watching the sun go down and see to the end of a wonderful day.

We were going to have a dinner on the fire, but the wind was just to hectic and the they moved everything inside.  We all sat down to dinner and were chilling when there was a massive bang.  What happened is that the gas 2 plate cooker heated up the kitchen unit melamine to exploding point.  The melamine melted and a huge bubble formed.  It popped like an explosion.  We grabbed bricks to try to sort out the top, but we will look at it tomorrow.

We will chat to Johan to see what they say.

We finished up, turned off the radios and crawled into bed.  I’m exhausted and it is a start of a great weekend.

Great people, great views, great place  ….  Just overall greatness

Now let the adventure truly begin.  Today I am just going to do the touristy thing.  Weather is really horrid according to the weather app.  It is supposed to be raining all day. So the Flowers wont show their heads, but who knows what really happens. I’m going to look for a tourism office and grab some maps and head out.

Breakfast was nice…  Muesli, and full cooked 2 eggs, mushrooms, tomato and toast.  Yummy.

Picked up all my goodies and left.  Went to PostNet to pick up my 2 boxes of equipment.  I had half my tripod in my luggage and the other half was in a box sent to PostNet.  The other box had a sleeping bag and a few other bits and pieces.  Will be great to have my boxes.  Terrified that they may have got lost, but I did get sms to say they have arrived.

Retrieved my boxes from Post net put tripod back together and headed out.  Went to Club Meckonnos ….  There was a large old style windmill that I saw and wanted to photograph.  Took the photo but nothing really exciting.  Headed to the Harbour, ….  BORING.  

Decided to head back to Langebaan and go and spend the day at the West Coast Nature Reserve to chase the flowers.  I’m hoping that I can pay once and keep on returning, but lets see.

Arrived at the Reserve only to find out that my Wild card is still valid from last year.  What a bonus.  Free access for the full weekend.  Such a bonus.

Spent the whole day there and loved every moment.  Went into Postberg to find lots of flowers, but the weather was very cloudy so they were not showing their full face.  I think the weather is going to change for the better from Sunday and then I will spend Monday there.

Had dinner back at Pearly’s Fish and Chips.  A huge meal but very nice.

Went back to accommodation had crashed.  Great day was had.  Tomorrow is D day and I cant wait.

Going to bed with a happy heart tonight Sleep tight world

Finally, the day has arrived.  I cannot believe that it has taken so long, but here we are.  I slept over at a friend’s home because I did not want to get caught in the crazy traffic in the morning on the N3 with all the construction that is happening.  Every day there are accidents and hold-ups that can last for hours.  This type of stress was just not worth the effort.  Last night it took me 2 hours to get to my friend’s home, so glad I did sleep over.

I am now on a flight heading to the Cape and I am bouncing with excitement.  I took some interesting photos using my phone (Shock and Horror – me using a cell phone to take photos) with the clouds.  Good flight, not too much hectic bouncing about, but the landing was very hard and that did wake up everyone with a bit of a shock.

The weather is less than desirable.  Cold, wet, and windy.  Let’s just hope that it gets better.  I know they need rain, but I need the flowers.  Let’s compromise….  Sun during the day and rain during the night.  That way we both win and by the time the sun shines, the rain has managed to seep into the ground.  A much better idea.

Picked up my little car.  And wow it is a little car when you are used to driving an Isuzu Bakkie, this thing is minute.  Hope it copes.  Very cute, but I am terrified of it…  Just touch the steering wheel and it is all over the place. 

Arrived at my accommodation for 2 nights.  Really nice place but so much smaller than I imagined.  Only thing is that my room opens out straight into the dining room.  Not so great when everyone is sitting having breakfast and you creep out of your room.  Let’s see what happens tomorrow.

Went to a restaurant called Pearly’s for dinner.  It is right on the edge of the Lagoon.  Seafood pasta was divine. I can hear my bed calling me.  Sleep well everyone.

Strandfontein

We woke up to a bright cloudless morning.  We were going to go for a walk but it was just too hot.  We decided to go later on today.

We had agreed that today was going to be a rest day of just chilling and relaxing and give me time to catch up on my work and try to get up to date with my diary.

It was rather windy so mom decided to sit inside the van and work on her stamps to hand over to a dealer at the auction.  I was sitting outside working on my photos and diary. The heat today was mind blowing.  The weather forecast was going to be 39 degrees with high winds.  I think it might has been higher than 39 but not having a thermometre, we could not test it.  Mom was drying her face and I was trying to find a cool spot.

All of a sudden the wind changed and within seconds it was icy cold.  The wind came up and it turned icy cold and everything changed.  Mom thought I was being a wimp as I was complaining about the cold. Then she put her head out of the van and she then agreed….  Ouch its cold.

We both crawled back into the van, put on long trousers and jerseys and that is where we stayed.  The mist moved in as the day drew to a close.

So sadly there are no photos for today.  Lets hope tomorrow is a better day.

Groenriviermond – Doringbay

After a crazy cold night, we both woke up feeling rather drained. There was no comms, no electricity and a very dark night,  But we were safe and that is all that mattered.  We went back to the light house and there we met Sam and Busi from TransNet.  They took us into the lighthouse right to the top,  Such amazing people.  We said our goodbyes and left.

We had breakfast at the rivermouth and then headed out.  Another long day of sand roads, blazing heat and stunning, stark landscapes.

We are heading for Doringbay for my next lighthouse.  At long last the 2 lighthouses that I have stressed about have been ticked off the list.   Such a relief.

We arrived at Doringbay,  took the photo of the lighthouse.  We could not find accommodation in Doringbay so we headed back to Strandfontein to see what we cold find.  Back at Strandsfontein we found the Municipal Caravan Park which is really an amazing caravan park.

  I think we might stay an extra day.  I’m exhausted and kinda drained from the previous few days of long distances and long days.  Will see how we are tomorrow.

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Kimberly to Witsand

Today we left Kimberly for our trip to Witsand.  I have been here once before and I cant wait to go there again.

While I was planning this trip I found it on the map and decided that I have to include this place into my trip.  I need to take mom to see what I have seen.  I cant wait.

Driving there we had to cross over the Vaal River.  Sadly I was not able to see where the Vaal and Orange join but it was quite impressive.

The starkness of this area was really amazing. 

We turned off to Witsand and all of a sudden I saw the white dunes of Witsand.  An interesting sign of beware of warthogs.

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